Travel support structure

Abstract

A support structure for at least partially supporting user's head is described. The support structure comprises a frame having a head engaging portion and a shoulder engaging portion, the shoulder engaging portion adapted to spread the load of the user's head over a user's shoulder, the frame being shaped to the contour of the user's body from the head engaging portion to the shoulder engaging portion.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A frame comprising:
 a connector having a semi-circular profile that delineates a first concavity; 
 a first limb and a second limb operatively coupled to a first side of the connector and spaced apart from one another via the connector, the first and second limbs cooperating to delineate a first cup, where the first limb includes a first limb concave arcuate surface angled toward a second limb concave arcuate surface of the second limb, where the second limb concave arcuate surface is angled toward the first limb concave arcuate surface; and, 
 a third limb and a fourth limb operatively coupled to a second side of the connector, the third limb includes a third limb arcuate surface angled toward a fourth limb arcuate surface of the fourth limb, where the third limb arcuate surface and the fourth limb arcuate surface cooperate to delineate a second cup, and where the first side is generally opposite the second side; wherein the frame is fabricated from a resilient polymer, 
 where the first limb includes a free end that is independently repositionable with respect to a free end of the second limb. 
 
     
     
       2. A method of assembling a travel pillow, the method comprising:
 inserting a resilient polymer frame into a pocket so that the pocket takes on the shape of the resilient polymer frame, the resilient polymer frame including: 
 a first projection coupled to a second projection, the first and second projections configured to cooperate and delineate a first concavity, 
 a third projection coupled to a fourth projection, the third and fourth projections configured to cooperate and delineate a second concavity, 
 an arcuate connector coupling the first projection to the second projection, the arcuate connector including an orifice and delineating a third concavity, 
 wherein the frame is fabricated from a resilient polymer; and, wrapping a scarf around the pocket, after the resilient polymer frame is inserted into the fabric pocket. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the pocket is part of the scarf. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 attaching a first portion of the scarf to a second portion of the scarf after wrapping the scarf around the fabric pocket. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the first portion of the scarf includes loop fasteners; and, the second portion of the scarf includes hook fasteners. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 inserting the resilient polymer frame into the pocket includes creating a first pocket concavity, a second pocket concavity, and a third pocket concavity; 
 where the first, second, and, third concavities are formed upon a common surface.